Bridal Suites ready for Opening in September

The renovations at Cancello Est are nearing completion and all being well we should be open for business in September. Two of the Bridal Suites are just about complete and are looking splendid - all we need to add now is a Bride and Groom to the one and  a romantic second honeymoon couple to the other.

The marble bathrooms are fabulous and you can shower or bath with breathtaking views of the mountains and the Sibilini National Park.

Sarnano Suite - En suite (bath and Shower), 16th Century Fresco, Extra-long King size Bed 

Sarnano Suite Marbled bathroom (shower, and double hand basins)

Smerillo Suite complete with private lounge area

A loo with a view - Smerillo Suite Marbled Bathroom

Bertolli introduces its hot sexy Italian chef, Alfredo Caldo-Freddo. Too Funny

A Meal I Waited 55 Years For!

Well, its finally happened - I have had the best meal of my life. Today we went to Restaurant Il Tiglio in the mountainous village of Montemonaco which is nestled in the stunningly breathtaking Sibillini National Park. The weather was glorious which made the 45 minute trip there wonderful.

We sat at 12h30 and finally had some coffee at 16h30 - what a wonderful way to spend your birthday - special friends, special food and of course exceptional wine! A cellar here to be marvelled catalogued as a old bible  of wine

Here are some highlights of the 11 course degustation menu - well worth a visit when you are in Marche. There were other courses but in my excitement for the food, I forgot to take pictures.

White Truffle Ice Cream to tease the Mouth with Parmesan Fitters

Extra Virgin Olive Oil and different salts to tease the palate 

Tongue with basil and herb salad 

Carrot cooked with a curry jus and pureed carrot (Grapefruit Foam - yummy)

Mushrooms, Mushrooms and Mushrooms

Fois Gras

Cinghale Ragu with a lime sauce  

Pigeon with cherries 

Herb ice cream with crushed almonds and basil tea 

Milk chocolate mousse with beer ice cream and rich chocolate 

Hazelnut ice cream 

Bridal Suite Antiques Brought Back to Life

Another great find at Cancello Est - antique bedroom furniture which will now grace the Sarnano Suite. We found the furniture in the basement of the building and have had it restored by Frederico in Macerata. 

Frederico, during the restoration,  found written in pencil underneath one of the drawers "to a loving daughter on her birthday - September 1901". 

There is also a label that says the furniture was made in Santangelo in Pontano one of our neighbouring villages.

Recycling 16th Century Floor Tiles

Finally we have reached the flooring stage and are able to recycle the original terracotta tiles from the original medieval building. We discovered these hidden beneath 60 cms of ash, sand and rubble that had been placed for new floors over the centuries. The end result will be amazing - wonderful hues of honey, yellow red and the design pattern is looking stunning. Next stage is sanding, sealing and polishing. 

The Fresco is now a Fresci (we have two now so its Plural)

The Second of our four Fresci is now complete. So different to the first one that was discovered. 

There is a gold motif with white and red roses (looks a bit like a Tudor Rose)

Adriana, our fresco expert and restorer, has done some research and has come up with some ideas of what the buildings that are depicted represent. 

The Fresco dates from around 1625 and the structures in the corners represent either properties the family owned, or buildings that had a sentimental attachment to the family.

The first is the Old Medieval Tower of Gualdo that sat in the centre of the town square. Sadly, this collapsed in one of the earthquakes last century.

The Medieval Tower of Gualdo

The second image is, we believe,  the old church in Vecciola that has had a lot of remodelling over the years. Adriana thinks, that perhaps, this was the church where one of the family members worshipped and could be,  the church of the wife where they were married. (What a great wedding album) 

The third picture is a depiction of Cancello Est as it was many years ago  with steps (no longer there) leading up to the south side of the property.

The final image is of the families hunting lodge which can still be seen at Passo St Angelo.

What a brilliant way to preserve family history for future generations.

The Old Church at Vecciola

The Original House

The Hunting Lodge at Passo St Angelo

Brilliant Italian Humour - Too funny